Cale Makar Contract Sets New NHL Record
The Cale Makar contract is now the richest in NHL history. The Colorado Avalanche announced that star defenseman Cale Makar has signed an eight-year extension worth $163.2 million, carrying an average annual value of $20.4 million. The deal makes Makar the first player in league history to cross the $20 million-per-season threshold, comfortably surpassing every previous contract in NHL history.
The extension begins with the 2027-28 season and runs through 2034-35, locking up one of the league’s most dynamic players well into his mid-30s. Makar was entering the final year of his existing six-year deal, which carried a $9 million average annual value — meaning his pay is set to more than double once the new contract kicks in.
How the Deal Is Structured
According to details that circulated following the announcement, the contract is heavily bonus-laden, with the cap hit remaining at $20.4 million throughout the deal’s eight years, even as the base salary and signing bonus structure shifts significantly from year to year. The deal includes a full no-movement clause, giving Makar complete control over any future trade decisions for the length of the contract.
The $163.2 million total value narrowly surpasses the previous record for total contract value, which had belonged to Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, while the $20.4 million AAV tops the mark set earlier this same offseason by San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, whose five-year, $94 million deal carried an $18.8 million average annual value.
Why Colorado Made This Move
Makar, 27, has established himself as arguably the best defenseman in the NHL over the past several seasons. He has been a Norris Trophy finalist as the league’s top defenseman for six consecutive years, winning the award twice, most recently in 2025. He is one of only 14 players in NHL history to win multiple Norris Trophies, joining Erik Karlsson as the only other active defenseman to do so.
Beyond his individual accolades, Makar was a central figure in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP that postseason. He also won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2019-20 and has recorded 507 career points — 136 goals and 371 assists — across 470 regular-season games, making him one of only three defensemen in NHL history to average at least a point per game over a career, alongside Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey.
Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic called the day “exciting” for both the organization and its fans, framing the extension as a long-term commitment to keeping the team’s core intact. With the deal in place, Colorado now has each of its central pieces — including forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Martin Nečas — signed through at least 2031.
The Bigger Picture: A Summer of Record Contracts
Makar’s deal is the latest in a wave of record-setting contracts across the NHL this offseason, driven in large part by a rapidly rising salary cap. Earlier in the summer, the Chicago Blackhawks locked up young center Connor Bedard on a $75 million extension, while the Anaheim Ducks signed center Leo Carlsson to a deal worth $18 million per year after matching an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. Celebrini’s deal with the Sharks had briefly held the AAV record before Makar’s extension surpassed it.
What This Means for the Avalanche and the League
For Colorado, locking up Makar long-term secures the centerpiece of a roster that won the Presidents’ Trophy last season as the league’s top regular-season team. The move also puts pressure on the franchise to continue building a competitive supporting cast around a payroll increasingly weighted toward its stars, given the significant cap commitment Makar’s deal represents once it activates in 2027-28.
Around the league, the contract is expected to influence ongoing negotiations for other elite defensemen. Minnesota Wild star Quinn Hughes, viewed as one of the few players in Makar’s tier, is now negotiating his own extension with Makar’s deal serving as the new benchmark for what a top-tier defenseman can command.
FAQ Section
Q: How much is Cale Makar’s new contract worth?
A: The extension is worth $163.2 million over eight years, with a $20.4 million average annual value — the highest in NHL history.
Q: When does Cale Makar’s new contract begin?
A: The deal begins with the 2027-28 season and runs through the 2034-35 season.
Q: Is Cale Makar the highest-paid player in NHL history?
A: Yes. His $20.4 million AAV makes him the first player in league history to cross the $20 million-per-season mark.
Q: What awards has Cale Makar won?
A: Makar has won the Norris Trophy twice (2021-22 and 2024-25), the Calder Trophy in 2019-20, and the Conn Smythe Trophy during Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.
Q: Does the contract include a no-movement clause?
A: Yes, the deal includes a full no-movement clause, meaning Makar cannot be traded or exposed in an expansion draft without his consent.
